Shipping to Canada with ChainReaction or Wiggle

[NRS_Comp1]

Hi guys, sorry if I'm not posting this in the right forum but I'm not quite sure where it should be posted anyways.

To any canadian on this forum, have any of you bought online clothes of others stuff from chainreaction or Wiggle ? If so, how was the shipping time and could you give me a approximation of the brokerage fee and duties you were charged (I know it depends on the price of the items so could you tell me what it was plz ).

I'm finding some really good deal and I don't want to have bad surprises once the package arrive home with enormous customs fees.

Thank you all !

 

[brianf7]

CRC make good deals because of recesion in Irland post time to OZ is 10-14 days no duty on anything under $1,000

Have had a few errors but always put right in the end same with Wiggle.

They ship quickly next or same day but sometimes Customs open the parcel check for drugs guns etc. some bike parts show up a bit funny on exray and look like a gun or something so they open it.

 

[Black Dog]

No issues. They ship fast and Canada Post deals with it on our end. No brokerage fees. You will pay duty (~15%).

 

[kiwirider]

You will pay duty (~15%).

My experience has been that it's pretty random as to whether you pay duty or not ... I've been charged on low value packages and exempted on higher value packages - and also been charged on high value packages. That said, it's always worth expecting that you'll get charged, and enjoying it if you get lucky ...

 

[fujisst]

Yep, paying duty is a crap-shoot on low value (<$250) items.
Never had an issue with either or Ribble.

 

[dsut4392]

Beware ordering anything backordered from ChainReaction. They will hold your entire order until the backordered item arrives in stock, which may not be when their website says it's expected.
I've been waiting 6 weeks for an order, from which one item out of 10 was out of stock. It was originally due 12 May (placed the order 21 April), but as of today is showing "due in stock 26 June". Seems like if I hadn't complained, they would have happily held my order for over two months before shipping.

They finally agreed after a number of emails (yesterday) to cancel & refund that item from my order and ship the rest, but have so far refused to refund the difference in postage, claiming the cost is the same. Strange then that when I added that item to my cart, the postage I was charged went up. Considering I've spent thousands of pounds with them in the last two years, it's not the kind of service I expect.

FWIW I've never had the same happen with Wiggle, in my experience they have twice split orders for an item that's out of stock, even when the order has qualified for free postage, and both times the "out of stock" item has arrived mere days later than the rest of the order, for no additional shipping cost.

From now on I won't be shopping at CRC if other sites have the same item at similar cost. Saving a few quid isn't worth not being able to ride my bike for months (even though of course it's not my only bike).

 

[LugHugger]

I've used both Wiggle and CRC domestically for the last 10 years or so. Unfortunately, my account was fraudulently accessed after my last CRC order and I have not used them since. I am not the only person to have made this decision. I haven't heard of or experienced any similar issues with Wiggle.

 

[NRS_Comp1]

No issues. They ship fast and Canada Post deals with it on our end. No brokerage fees. You will pay duty (~15%).

Was that 15% applied on the total price with shipping or just the price of the items ? Like if I buy per example 100$ worth of item, I will only be charged 15 $ for duty with no brokerage fee ? Sorry if it feels like a stupid question I've never ordered from any internet site outside Canada before I from what I heard brokerage fee can be the real surprise so I'm suprised your saying ordering from wiggle hasn't cost you any brokerage fee ? Is that correct ? By the way, was the package delivered with canada post ? Thank you for your answers !!

Cheers !

 

[kiwirider]

Was that 15% applied on the total price with shipping or just the price of the items ? Like if I buy per example 100$ worth of item, I will only be charged 15 $ for duty with no brokerage fee ? Sorry if it feels like a stupid question I've never ordered from any internet site outside Canada before I from what I heard brokerage fee can be the real surprise so I'm suprised your saying ordering from wiggle hasn't cost you any brokerage fee ? Is that correct ? By the way, was the package delivered with canada post ? Thank you for your answers !!

Cheers !

What do you mean by a "brokerage fee"?

While I haven't ordered anything from Wiggle, I have dealt with Chainreaction, Ribbles and Total Cycling. In each case, all that I've done is put the order in via their website, using my credit card. The cost of the goods and freight get charged to the card at whatever is the bank's exchange rate just in the same way as if I was buying something here in Ottawa - no extra fees.

When the goods arrive in Canada, I'll typically get a "card to call" from Canada Post saying to go to the local post office - as typically items wont fit in my post box.

When I go there, I'll hand over the card and sign for the item. If there is any duty to pay, that's been worked out by customs and the person at the post office will have an official document saying how much it is. I simply pay that and pick up the items and go ... All very easy, and the only things to pay are official government charges.

As to whether the duty charge is on the freight as well - it has been a while since I've been charged, so honestly don't know.

Also, regarding the warnings that a couple of people have given about Chain Reaction - check out the thread to that effect on here and the links to the other forums where people told of their problems. That said, a buddy of mine bought a bike through them a couple of months back - after these stories broke, but before I could warn him - and his card hasn't been defrauded in any way ... so perhaps they've caught whoever was responsible? Still, best to be aware that they have had problems.

 

[Black Dog]

Was that 15% applied on the total price with shipping or just the price of the items ? Like if I buy per example 100$ worth of item, I will only be charged 15 $ for duty with no brokerage fee ? Sorry if it feels like a stupid question I've never ordered from any internet site outside Canada before I from what I heard brokerage fee can be the real surprise so I'm suprised your saying ordering from wiggle hasn't cost you any brokerage fee ? Is that correct ? By the way, was the package delivered with canada post ? Thank you for your answers !!

Cheers !

The duty is calculated based on the declared value on the customs form. It is not on top of the shipping. You may or may not have to pay duty on low cost items. It is random. Anything under $50 will often be duty free. It does not have to be it just seems that low values escape duty most of the time.

KIWI: Brokerage fees are charged by some shippers (UPS is the worst!) to handle the customs details through a 3rd party customs broker. Canada post does not charge a Brokerage Fee as they deal directly with customs.

 

[NRS_Comp1]

The duty is calculated based on the declared value on the customs form. It is not on top of the shipping. You may or may not have to pay duty on low cost items. It is random. Anything under $50 will often be duty free. It does not have to be it just seems that low values escape duty most of the time.

KIWI: Brokerage fees are charged by some shippers (UPS is the worst!) to handle the customs details through a 3rd party customs broker. Canada post does not charge a Brokerage Fee as they deal directly with customs.

Thanks for your answers ! I think I'll try ordering a from wiggle and see what happens, they really seems to have great prices fro clothing compare top what we pay here in Canada.

Cheers!

 

[kiwirider]

KIWI: Brokerage fees are charged by some shippers (UPS is the worst!) to handle the customs details through a 3rd party customs broker. Canada post does not charge a Brokerage Fee as they deal directly with customs.

OK, that explains it - and since I've never dealt with anyone who uses USPS why I've never encountered it.

Thanks for the heads up about it - will be something to watch for when I order in future.

 

[boomslang]

NRS_Comp1

If you don't mind, let us know how you make out. I looked at rims on Wiggle last year, a good deal, but wondered about the duty on them and the shipping issues and didn't end up going through with the purchase. Yes, I am somewhat risk adverse but hey, I'm Canadian, it goes with the territory.

 

[bc_hills]

NRS_Comp1

Yes, I am somewhat risk adverse but hey, I'm Canadian, it goes with the territory.

...you're hanging with the wrong canadians!

 

[NRS_Comp1]

NRS_Comp1

If you don't mind, let us know how you make out. I looked at rims on Wiggle last year, a good deal, but wondered about the duty on them and the shipping issues and didn't end up going through with the purchase. Yes, I am somewhat risk adverse but hey, I'm Canadian, it goes with the territory.

No problem, It might take a little while but I'll post back once I receive my items. Don't forget though that I'm only buying clothing so the duty might be different for other products such as wheels since they are bigger items.

Cheers !

 

[Black Dog]

OK, that explains it - and since I've never dealt with anyone who uses USPS why I've never encountered it.

Thanks for the heads up about it - will be something to watch for when I order in future.

UPS (United Parcel Service) is bad not USPS (United States Postal Service)

 

[NRS_Comp1]

Well I've just ordered 2 sugoi jersey yesterday night so we'll see how things goes for me, it shoudl take a little while though since they were not in stock so I hope that in two weeks time I'll have them.If something bad happens between now and then I'll let you know.

Cheers !

 

[Orvieto]

Well I've just ordered 2 sugoi jersey yesterday night so we'll see how things goes for me, it shoudl take a little while though since they were not in stock so I hope that in two weeks time I'll have them.If something bad happens between now and then I'll let you know.

Cheers !

I've ordered twice from Wiggle recently. The prices have been great since the rise of the CDN dollar.
I wasn't charged duty on one package which included pedals and some other small bike bits. I was charged duty on my second order which included clothing. My impression was that duty would vary by the type of item you order and that clothing would always carry duty.

 

[philippeleduc]

I ordered from Wiggle last month and before doing it, I was looking for shared experiences about Wiggle and didn't find a lot so I tought I should share it with everyone now.

I ordered a complete road bike from wiggle and live in the province of Québec. The bike is a Wilier GranTurismo (Product of Italia but the frame is built in Taiwan). I paid 95.68$CA for shipping.

Reading their Customer Service section for International Bike Delivery, I was under the impression that they would use Parcel Force as the carrier. This is great news because with PF, once it reaches Canada, Canada Post takes care of the delivery. But I was wrong. My bike shipment ended up with DHL. When I realized that, I got afraid... very afraid.

But things turn out just fine. The shipment came in two separate boxes. One for the Frame and the other one for the Wheelset. On the invoice, it was written : "Sporting Equipment" for a total value of 2277$CA without any invoice for Customs or Taxes. I knew this was too good to be true and after reading on google from other DHL customers, I started expecting an invoice in my mailbox. And I was right! Two weeks after, I received an invoice from DHL for the following :

GST/TPS : 113$
QST/TVQ : 222$
DHL handing Fee : 10$

To my surprise I found DHL fee very reasonable and think I was very lucky that Canadian Border Services didn't charge 16% Duty on my bike (I think it's because it was labelled as "Sporting Equipment" rather than "Road Bike".

So I made a good deal, paying a total of 2700$ for a bike that is selling 3500$+tx in the Ottawa/Gatineau Region. Plus you get 12% off regular priced item on Wiggle for the next 12 months as a Platinum discount (Platinum Customers have spent over £500 in the last 365 days).

 

[Steve Works]

I recommend contacting W2C customs brokerage. I'm more than satisfied with their services.

 

[Master50]

I ordered a pair of MTB wheels from wiggle who shipped via DHL to BC. I got an email after 3 days with a bill for taxes and brokerage. there is no duty on bike parts or complete bikes either but there is taxes. In BC bikes are free of provincial sales tax so I paid GST and a brokerage fee
$1200 for the wheels less some discount and $75 taxes and fees.
5 days from order to receipt. Very good service.
I see NRS bought Sugoi jerseys? they are or were made in Vancouver. how ironic you go to England to save.